Overall unemployment rate moved up to 6.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 2,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Worcester, MA-CT market rose by 2,778 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 6.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Worcester, MA-CT unemployment rate is 60 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 810 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in May versus prior month by -2.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Worcester, MA-CT Unemployment May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 65,600; -200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 52,300; +500
  • Government: 41,100; no change
  • Business Services: 27,500; -100
  • Manufacturing: 25,700; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 22,000; +2,100
  • Financial Services: 13,500; -200
  • Construction, Mining: 11,600; +900
  • Other Jobs: 8,600; +100
  • IT & Development: 2,800; no change
Worcester, MA-CT Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.